harpendenfox

Very good post this. I was lucky enough to enjoy very grand hospitality yesterday, and stayed in the bars at the stadium for an hour after the game to avoid queues at Seven Sisters tube. About half an hour after the final whistle, Gian Piero Vetrone led the non-playing Spurs squad players on the pitch, and led them through an insanely gruelling 45 minutes fitness routine. He's called 'The Marine' by the way. This before a two week international break. By contrast one of our fitness coaches came and did 5 minutes jogging with Luke and Albo. Compare Conte and Rogers in the manager zones. Conte is constantly demanding more. Rogers looks downbeat and frequently reverts to looking at replays on one of the mini TV screens. We're tired and stale. The pre match routine has been identical for three years. Everything is stale and lethargic, and sadly, that's why we are bottom of the pile.

I'd say the 4-1 implosion at Bournemouth in July 2020. Sure we did well for much of the next season, but I'm not quite sure how - Kelechi's goals frankly! But I think that Bournemouth collapse revealed a mental fragility that continues to haunt us. The sheer will and determination of Kasper saw us through to some degree, but now he's gone, I fear we have no real leaders in the group. We have talent, but no inspiring figure like Big Wes or Kasper. Too often on the pitch we flounder when under pressure. That's the time you need players with reserves of resilience, and I just don't think we have them.

what's happening to the afternoons?

and that the squad is young and inexperienced, but also in need of a refresh, and overcrowded, but also short on bodies, and don't get me started on the fans, they're truly rubbish and sometimes get very cross with the lads which is really unfair, but I can understand it because they desperately want some new signings, and they are clearly disappointed by that, and they love me truly, madly, deeply

To be fair, 18 months ago we'd just won the FA Cup and I think Brendan's status was in pretty high regard

It's quite interesting to read page one of this thread, which began in April of last year, a mere 19 months ago

What a bizarre pitch at Trent Bridge. Ridiculously green, as if they'd like the game done and dusted in two days

I think discontent is simmering and close to exploding. I felt it against West Ham at home back in February. Only a penalty just before half time calmed things. I was all for the status quo at the beginning of the season - I guess I dislike change. I'm firmly for getting rid without further delay now. Against Man United I think people were, 'well, it's Man United'. Yesterday in the second half it was shell shock. If he's in post on Saturday and we go behind against Villa I fear the place will erupt. I'm even contemplating making a 'Rogers Out' sign myself and I'm a mild-mannered 56 year old (except when I'm at the City when twice a year I turn into a complete idiot )

This may have been posted earlier in the thread. Our annual results to May 21 were released in February of this year. Presumably our results to May 22 will be released in Feb 23. Fofana money will be in this year's accounts which would not be released until February 2024. I doubt we will make a financial announcement for six months

Insanely, after getting home at 1.30am after Thursday evening's game, and listening to Brendan's rubbish, and seeing us bottom of the table with a miserable single point, I'm looking forward to hopping onto the train with my son tomorrow and heading to Brighton. Last time I went there we played them off the park for 20 minutes, eventually winning 2-0. That was back in the autumn of 2019. Jeez we were wonderful for a while back then. Hope springs eternal.

Your wife deserves a medal. In all seriousness it is people like your wife who should receive honours, not faceless civil servants. Please tell her from me I think she is a bloody legend. My son lives in residential care. His carers are poorly paid and wonderful. The managers of those carers are, by and large, better paid, and rather lazy.

Yes, the Budinger signing is reported in the Cricketer. I heard that Azad turned down a contract offer. Perhaps he's off. Not sure we can afford too many red ball specialists truth be told. We're basically paying someone to play for half a season. On paper, Budinger looks like a decent signing. Yet to play a first class game, good white ball numbers thus far. Let's hope he goes well for us.

Right now, yes, things are as grim as hell, but I'm going to try and compose some positive words, as much for my own benefit as anyone else's. We have a number of very good Premier League players, including: Ward, Castagne, Evans, Soyuncu, JJ, Thomas N'didi, Maddison, KDH, Barnes, Tielemans Iheanacho, Vardy (I know he is nearing the end, but I remember him going about 20 games without a goal in 2016/17, and again in early 2021 - he's not done yet) Then there are others who are decent backs up, including: Iversen (I'm guessing a bit there), Mendy, Perez, Albrighton, Daka. Right now we are bereft of confidence, and have a manager who seems miserable, and I fear his morale has impacted the team negatively. If we can change the mindset, and hopefully recruit a good centre back and right winger this week, I think we will be okay. Can Brendan change his mindset? I simply don't know where he's at. Frankly he needs to stop sulking and start leading.

White ball formats only, perhaps?

Oh you beautiful, oft hopeless totally frustrating Foxes. Still I love you so

Dear oh dear. Lilley was lucky as hell to make 60. He makes a contribution about one innings in ten when his luck's in. Hope that's his last game for us. Our lack of robustness is just so demoralising. Somehow we sign a 25 year old who goes for 50 odd in his 5 overs and is subsequently dropped. Durham play an 18 year old from Carlisle who scores his maiden 50 and takes his maiden 5fer against us. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I bother?

If this isn't true, and I'm quite sure @Bert posted in good faith, then it is a fascinating example of how social media can make people believe anything they want to believe and literally move markets (lights pipe and prepared analytical paper for peer review)

I think a lot of bowlers are out of contract at the end of the season, so it's a punt. He's a left armer too. His stats don't look that great to be honest, and he's 26. To go from signing a contract to joining the team and playing in a few hours was bizarre. I'm concerned we just have a habit of signing random players who then bloat the squad further.

So this new signing, Michael Finan. Aged 26. According to Cricinfo has played one second team game, for Yorkshire, this season. Took 5 wickets in a red ball two innings game, going at just under five per over. Taken a few wickets for Cheshire. Hmm.

We have loads of resources. Bowlers not currently playing include Davis, Walker, Bowley, Griffiths, Evans and Sikande.

Top of the table!

Commentary by the two Gloucestershire people is so terrible it's hard to believe. A series of oohs and aahs adding virtually nothing to what you can see with your own two eyes. Like two old boys in a pub

Mind you I type that and young Swindells perishes to a rather poor shot...

There is as an element that we've been weakened less by the Hundred than any other County, so it's levelled the playing field for us. But more positively, Hendricks has been as good with the white ball as he was poor with the red ball, Mulder has been in superb form, Wright has bowled well, and Kimber has batted, and more recently bowled, really well. Welch scored a good hundred earlier, but needs more runs now, and Patel badly needs runs. Young Swindells is finding some form too. But it's confidence too. Winning breeds confidence and belief.

I'm not averse to the Hundred per se, I love the amount of families who seem to be enjoying it, but it's the impact it has on the schedule which is the huge problem. And if you look at our lads, Rehan has played, I think I'm right in saying Ackers, Mike and Parky have thus far been twiddling their thumbs.